[LM_NET] Hit: Advice on Author Visits

[Shelly Cullipher <SCullipher@WHITEVILLE.K12.NC.US>]

Thanks to Katherine Stehman for your compiled list.

Two suggestions:
1) Terrific Connections with Authors, Illustrators, and Storytellers by Toni Buzzeo
2)
Toni Buzzeo's website has a section devoted to author visits, including
a state-by-state listing of authors who visit schools. 
http://www.tonibuzzeo.com/visits.html
Katherine Stehman
Since there has just been a posting asking for advice on author visits,
I guess this is the time to post my Hit. I truly appreciate all the
advice I received from experienced compatriots and hope others benefit
from my compilation of the responses.

1.   You can get a listing of local authors on the SCBWI (Society of Children's 
Book Writers and Illustrators) at

http://www.scbwi.org/Speakers-Listings.aspx   Once you find a name you like

just Google them for the contact address.

 http://authorbystate.blogspot.com/

2.
The best place to see/hear a variety of authors/illustrators is at the
Mazza Institutes (Weekend one is in November and the Summer one is in
July).

www.mazzamuseum.org   This is the best thing I have done as a librarian. You

can take these for credit or just for enjoyment and you will never be without an 
idea for an author/illustrator visit.

3.
I don't know if you know about Balkin Buddies, so in case you don't, I
thought I'd let you know about my little company. Balkin Buddies
represents about 100 authors for school visits and also for online
chats. All the authors we represent are listed on www.BalkinBuddies.com,
which also features lots of information about the authors - their bios,
their presentations, honorariums, references, lists of books, contacts
at their publishers for ordering books, and much more. I used to work
at HarperCollins setting up author visits for virtually hundreds of
authors for over 15 years, but I know it's changed in recent years and
that it's a bit harder to get information from them. So if you have any
questions about HarperCollins' authors, especially backlist authors, I
might be able to help. Also, as you can imagine, I handle author visits
for a number of Harper authors.

4.        I work with a small group of authors, available at 
http://www.mcbookwords.com
-- you are looking at about $1000-$1600 for honorarium depending on who
you choose; most are around $1200-1400. Can sometimes make it a little
lower if multiple days. Then plus expenses. We work with host schools
to make it the best author visit all around.

5.       I think you might find some help in my book ABCs of an Author/Illustrator 
Visit, Second Edition (Linworth) http://www.mcelmeel.com/writing/page_lin.html -- 
hopefully you can find the book in a nearby library.

6.
Do you have any local bookstores that have an "in" with authors? We
have one here in Doylestown who works with our district librarians and
reading specialists to get some authors.

7.    Google author websites.

8.
Check the major publishing houses' websites for listings under Author
Visitations or Appearances. There are tips for setting up Author Visits
on many of these sites also.

If upon reading this list you are inclined to add to it, please do.  Thank you 
again for all those who responded.

Kate

Katherine Stehman

Shelly F. Cullipher     

Media Coordinator

413 N. Lee Street

Whiteville High School 

910-914-4189

scullipher@whiteville.k12.nc.us

"Education is not about filling a pail, it's about lighting a fire." ~

William Butler Yeats

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, you send a message to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER:
1) SIGNOFF LM_NET
2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL
4) SET LM_NET DIGEST

 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/join.html
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/category/links/el-announce/

--------------------------------------------------------------------